Art of filling containers with ice-cream



H. C. HOWE.

ART OF FILLING CONTAINERS WITH ICE CREAM. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26, 1921.

Patented Nov. 22, -192L 4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

H. C. HOWE AII'I OF FILLING IIIWIAINIRS WITH ICE CREAM.

AIPLICA'IIUN IIL'cD IAN. 2U, I92I. 1,397,520, Patented Nov. 22, 1921,

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

a! r V M. 60

P1912 II I I v IIIIIIMQ qlummm H. C. HOWE.

ART OF FILLING CONTAINERS WITH ICE CREAM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26, I92].

Lfig'fifigm Patented Nov. 22, 1921 4 SHEETS SHEET 3- H. c. HOWE. I ART OF FILLING CONTAINERS WITH ICE CREANI.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25, I921.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

INVENTOR. I Q M A TT ORNE Y.

HAROLD C. HOWE, 0F RU'ILAND, VERMONT, ASSIGNOR TO SEAL-RIGHT CO. INC., OF FULTON, NEW YORK, A CQRPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ART OF FILLING CONTAINERS WITH ICE-CREAM.

Application filed January 26, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HAROLD C. HOWE, a citizen of theUnited States of America, and resident of Rutland, Rutland county, State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to the Art of Filling Containers with Ice- Cream, of which the following is a specification.

This invention involves certain improvements in and relating to filling ice cream containers, and the objects and nature of the invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following explanations of the accompanying drawings illustrating what ll now believe to be the preferred mechanical expression or embodiment of my invention from among other forms, constructions and arrangements withln the spirit and scope thereof.

It is an object of this invention to provide for packaging soft mushy ice cream in paper cans or other containers of a size particularly intended for domestic use, in an economical manner with waste reduced to the minimum, preparatory to the delivery of the packaged soft product to the hardening room.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for economically and conveniently packaging mushy or semi-fluid ice cream, in several flavors or colors from different freezers, in paper cans or other containers so that the several flavors or colors will be arranged in approximately distinct longitudinal columns in the containers with the several columns merging to form a solid block or body, all preparatory to the delivery of the filled containers to the hardening room for hardening to a marketable condition.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple and effective means whereby soft semi-fluid ice cream from the freezer. can be conveniently packed in vertically elongated containers such as paper cans, preparatory to delivery to the hardening room, without the use of pressure that Wlll cuase substantial loss in overrun or volume, and without substantial waste.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in combinations and arrangements as more fully and particularly set forth and specified hereinafter.

Specification of Letters Iatent.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

Serial No. 439,995.

Referring to the accompanying draw- 1ngs:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ice cream container filling machine embodying my invention, the container carrier being shown in normal depressed position, two paper cans being shown in the carrier, one of said cans being alined with the filling tube or nozzle in position to move upward thereon preparatory to its downward filling stroke on said nozzle.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation with the parts in the same positions as in Fig. 1, the base being partially broken away and the pedal shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken in the plane of the line fir-4:, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken in the H plane of the line 5-5, Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a detail somewhat diagrammatii cal perspective view.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a filled paper can, partially broken away to show the block of ice cream composed of columns of difierent flavors.

The machine illustrated by the drawings embodies a longitudinally elongated depending or vertical filling tube or nozzle 1, formed to receive ice cream at its upper end and discharge the same from its lower end into the bottom of a can on the nozzle and to fill the can from the bottom up as thecan is moved downwardly on the nozzle.

Ice cream (which term includes water ice and other semi-frozen edible products) in a semi-fluid or partially-frozen flowable condition, flows into the upper end of this nozzle by gravity from any suitable source or sources, such as one or more freezers, or one or'more receptacles filled from one or more freezers.

This nozzle is formed with an imperforate exterior wall, tube or shell that in length preferably exceeds the interior length of the can to be filled thereby, that is exteriorly smooth or otherwise formed to permit longitudinal movement of the can thereon, that in cross'section exteriorly conforms to the cross sectional formation of the can to be filled of the nozzle so that the semi-liquid product can flow by gravity down from the open bottom end of the nozzle onto the can bottom and the can will be filled below the nozzle, from the bottom up as the can is moved down on the nozzle, whereby the can is filled exteriorly of the nozzle by the flowing quality of the cream, 2'. e. by the descending flowing column of cream after it leaves the nozzle and without pressure or forcing that will cause loss of overrun or volume. The can should be filled by the time its open upper end arrives at a position with respect to the lower open end of the nozzle to clear said lower end when the can is moved laterally across the same so that horizontal or lateral movement of the filled can to carry its upper end across the lower end of the nozzle will serve to shear off the column of cream at the lower open end of the nozzle.

The filling nozzle 1 is, in this instance, internally divided into several longitudinal passages toreceive cream of different flavors orcolors, each from its own source, so that the nozzle will simultaneously deliver from its lower end several columns of differently flavored cream that will flow from the lower end of the nozzle and into the can to unite into a single column or longitudinally elongated body made up of the longitudinal lengths of different-coloror flavor, approximately as indicated by the drawings although the form and arrangement and the number of colors or flavors can be varied.

In the particular example illustrated, (without desiring to so limit my invention) the nozzle is internally divided into three longitudinal passages, of uniform cross sectional capacity and each unobstructed or open throughout its length, by an interhal web forming three longitudinal partitions 1, radiating from a common center, and each imperforate, and in this instance, formed rigid or integral with the tubular shell forming the nozzle. The three passages are open at their lower ends at the lower open end of the nozzle, and in this instance, are so arranged that the body of cream in the filled can will be made up ofsector shaped (in cross section) longitudinal lengths of cream of different colors. However, the nozzle passages can be more or less than three and can be variously shaped and arrangedto produce various color arrangements in the completed body of cream.

In this example, each nozzle passage is at its upper end in. open communication with the interior of its own individual source of ice cream through the dischargeoutlet thereof, i. 6. there is provided a separate freezer or ice cream supply receptacle for each nozzle passage, three separate ice cream supplies for the particular nozzle shown. In this instance, without desiring to so limit all features of my invention, I show the nozzle 1 fixed to and, depending in downward continuation of a three-wayhollow union, nozzle head or shell 2, bolted or otherwise clamped to the underside of forwardly projecting elevated horizontal plate 3 forming part of a supporting bracket 4 fixed to the upper end of vertical supporting post This post rises from and is fixed to the horizontal table 6 of the hollow base or pedestal 7 of the machine.

The plate 3 is formed with vertical ports 3 (in this instance three in number) uniformly spaced apart around the longitudinal axial'line of the nozzle 1 and at uniform radial distances from said line, as appears from Fig. 4, although I do not wish to so limit all features of my invention. The union or nozzle head 2 is internally formed with'separate downwardly diverging conduits or passages 2, one for each nozzle passage, and these passages 2 at their upper ends terminate in vertical nipples 2 proJecting upwardly through the ports 3, respectively, usually a distance above the top face of plate 3. Each passage 2 and its nipple 2 constitute an upward continuation of the corresponding nozzle passage.

A separate ice cream supply is provided for each nipple 2", and in this instance, I show three separate ice cream receptacles 8 for this purpose. 7 Each supply receptacle is formed by a vertically elongated open-top can having a depending bottom supporting flange 8* resting on plate 3 within vertical top flange 3* thereof.

, Each supply receptacle 8 is formed with an ice cream supporting hopper or downwardly contracting floor 8 leadin to the bottom ice cream discharge forme by depending discharge mouth 8 adapted to depend within and form a slip joint connection with a nipple 2 In the form illustrated, the three supply receptacles are individually portable, and removably mounted on the plate 3, so that each receptacle can be lifted therefrom and placed under a freezer discharge and filled with ice cream and then placed in position on the plate 3 to permit ice cream to flow from the receptac e through mouth 8, passage 2 and therefrom into the nozzle passage in continuation thereof. Any suitable means are provided'to close the supply receptacle outlets while the receptacles are being filled from the freezer and transported therefrom to the plate 3. For instance, I show each aaeaeeo receptacle equipped with a cut off slide valve 8 operated across the depending mouth 8 to open and close the same. The cut ofl' is provided with an operating slide rod 8 movable through flange 8* and having a handle end accessible at the exterior of the receptacle bottom.

In operation, one receptacle will be filled from one freezer with, say strawberry flavored ice cream; another receptacle will be filled from a different freezer with, say,

vanilla ice cream, and the third receptacle will be filled with say from a third freezer.

However, I do not wish to limit all features of my invention to removable ice cream supply receptacles, as the supply receptacles, need not be provided with bottom out off devices and need not be removable, particularly as the supply receptacles can be filled while in the machine from elevated freezers orfrom buckets filled from freezers. Furthermore, the supply receptacles can be in the form of flared or enlarged upward continuations of the nozzle passages to form a divided hopper to reduce to the minimum bends and abrupt contractions in the passages between the nozzle and the main supply bodies of ice cream as the free downward flow of the cream is thereby retarded.

The several ice cream supply receptacles, and the several passages therefrom which are continued down through the nozzle, are so arranged as to provide for free downward flow of the several columns of ice cream by gravity, by reason of its flowable semifluid condition and the weight of, or the downward pressure of the atmosphere on the bodies of ice cream. To this end, each chocolate ice cream passage from the discharge end of. the nozzle upwardly including the'top enlarged ice cream supply portion thereof, is preferably of the same cross sectional capacity as the remaining passages and is unobstructed to provide, so far as possible, uniform simultaneous downward flow of ice cream in and from all three nozzle passagesduring can filling operations.

The machine, as so far described, presents afree-end nozzle fixed to and depending from the rigid plate 3, and spaced from post 5, and terminating a sufficient distance above table 6, to leave the nozzle unobstructed so that a cylindrical paper can, such as a (with its slip top cover I) removed) can be ap lied to the lower open end of the nozzle and slipped upwardly thereon to re ceive the three columns of ice cream descending from the three passages of the nozzle and. cause them to spread within tgie can to form a body of ice cream 0 af er hardening approximately as illustrated by Fig. 9 of the drawings. The paper can may be applied to, removed from, and

slipped up and down on the nozzle by hand. The can is slipped up on the nozzle to receive the cream on the can bottom at a greater or less distance below the open end of the nozzle. The can is then slipped down on the nozzle so that the cream fills the can from the bottom up as the can is withdrawn from the nozzle. The can preferably fits the nozzle with a running fit to, prevent upward leakage of fluid cream between the can and outer surface of the nozzle, and so that downward movement of the can tends to create minus pressure at the open end of the nozzle with a consequent suction action on the cream and acceleration of the downward flow thereof. When the can is filled and reaches the lower end of the nozzle, horizontal movement of the can from the nozzle shears ofl the column of cream. The cover I) is then applied to the filled can and the can is ready for the hardening room wherein the contents of the can are hardened for the market.

When the filled can is removed from the nozzle another can must be quickly applied thereto or some other means applied to the open end of the nozzle toprevent waste of cream. Ice cream as it comes from the commercial freezer is an exceedingly difficult material to control by mechanism, because of the differing degrees of fluidity of ice cream of different flavors under the same conditions, because ice cream drawn from one freezer will be of a diflerent degree of fluidity from that from another freezer and even different drawings from the same batch will differ in fluidity, because there is no certainty as to the degree of fluidity of the ice cream that the machine will be called on to handle, because a large proportion of air isnecessarily introduced into the cream in the freezer to produce over run and the required smooth product, and this over run must not be pressed from the cream before the same is hardened. In other words, the cream must be so handled after it leaves the freezer as to avoid loss of over run and consequent reduction in bulk or volume.

Sometimes the cream comes from the freezer in such a degree of fruidity as to flow quite freely from the supply reservoirs and nozzle passages, rendering it diflicult for an inexperienced person to fill, remove 'and apply cans to the nozzle without slopforcing pressure will cause loss of over run and reduction in volume.

Where the results attained by the filling machine of my invention are apt to be dependent an inexperienced operators, particularly operators, without experience as to the degrees of fluidity of'the cream best suited for filling cans with differently flavored cream, I prefer to employ mechanical means associated with the nozzle and cooperating with the paper cans during the operations of applying, filling and removing such cans.

For instance, I provide means for maintaining an approximately tight running fit between the can and nozzle to prevent upward leakage of cream around the nozzle, and particularly to cause the can to act as a reciprocating piston in association with the nozzle in driving air from the can on its upstroke and producing suction action on the cream on the can filling down stroke, and also means for carrying the cans horizontally to and from alinement with the nozzle and for moving the cans vertically on the nozzle, and also for preventing discharge of cream from the nozzle mouth (lower open end) during the intervals between filled can removal and empty can application with respect to the nozzle.

In the particular example illustrated, I show a vertical reciprocatory rod or slide 15, movable through the table 6 from a point below the same to a point above the same, and parallel with the longitudinal axis of the nozzle 1 and arranged a distance in advance thereof. This slide is guided by a post 16, fixed to and rising from table 6 ans having a longitudinal bore receiving the sli e.

On the upper end of the slide 15 is a head embodying a sliding ring or sleeve exteriorly fitting the nozzle 1 and a rotary can carrying turret. This head comprises a non-rotary horizontal plate 17 centrally receiving the upper end of slide 15 and fixedly clamped thereto. This plate 17 is circular in form although this shape is not essential.

The radius of the plate exceeds the distance from the slide 15 to the rear surface of the nozzle 1, and the plate is formed with a vertical opening receiving said nozzle. At this opening the plate forms a vertical sleeve 17 preferably provided with any suitable packing means 17 b at its inner surface. The sleeve 17 and its internalpacking 17 surround the nozzle 1 snugly with a running fit and is designed to reduce to the minimum air leakage between the sleeve and exterior surface of the nozzle on the downward sliding stroke of the sleeve on the nozzle.

The rotary can carrying turret is located below plate 17, concentric therewith and of approximately the same radius. This turret comprises a horizontal rotary top plate 18 at its top face slidably fitting the bottom face of plate 17. Plate 18 is formed with a central vertical hub receiving and rotatable on the journal portion 15 of slide 15. The slide 15 provides a shoulder at the lower end of the journal 15, on which the lower end of the hub of plate 18 rests so that said plate moves vertically with the slide. This plate 18 is formed with several similar uniformly spaced vertical openings 18 arranged to be successively brought into alinement and registration with the ring or sleeve 17 on rotation of the turret. The plate 18 is formed of substantial thickness around each opening 18 and the wall surrounding each opening is flared downwardly, see 18 (Fig. 3) to provide a paper can centering mouth. The diameter of the upper ends of these mouths or openings 18, is but slightly in excess of the exterior diameter of the nozzle 1 and the internal diameter of the ring or sleeve 17*.

In the particular example, I have happened to illustrate the turret is provided with three mouths or openings 18 spaced one hundred and twenty degrees apart, although of course the number of mouths and the spacing thereof is immaterial.

The rotary plate carries means to hold and support one or more paper cans a, in this instance, three, one for each mouth or opening18 The turret can be variously constructed to support the paper (or other) cans to be carried thereby although in the drawings I show the plate 18 provided with three depending hangers in the form of rigid vertical rods 20 at their upper ends secured to the plate and depending from the under side thereof. One hanger is provided for each month 18 and arranged just behind the mouth in the direction of rotation of the turret. Each hanger (rod 20) at its lower portion is provided with a can supportin shelf preferably having a free limite vertical movement on the rod and iii; yieldingly upheld to its limit of upward movement by a coiled expansion spring 21 confined on the rod by nut 22 longitudimally adjustable on the threaded end of the rod. The limit of upward movement of the 13,513 shelf is established by collar 23 vertically adjustable on the rod.

In the example illustrated, each can sup port or shelf, consists of a bracket having a hub or sleeve 24 slidable vertically on the 120 rod and a horizontally or laterally projecting fork 24* formed with a transverse can bottom receiving and can upholding"rfioor,. ledge or shelf 24. l

The arrangement of this can support is 125 such that when a portion of a can bottom is placed on ledge 24" (with the can held in an inclined position) and downward pressure is exerted on the can, the bracket carrying the shelf will be forced down against the pres- 130 sure of spring 21, so that it is possible to tilt the can to vertical position with its open end just below the mouth 18 above and that is alined with the support 24", 25 The operator then guides the open end of the can into said mouth and presses the same upwardly into the taper 18 or depends on the spring 21 to perform this function. The taper centers and slightly compresses the open end of the can and the can is thus held in position for vertical reciprocation and filling, by the bracket 24-24:".

When the slide 15 is in its normal lowered position (Fig. 3), the fiat lower end face of the sleeve 17 a is approximately flush with the horizontal bottom end face of the nozzle 1. The flat top face of the rotary plate 18 of the can carrying turret closely fits the flat bottom edge of sleeve 17 in sliding engagement so that the imperforate portions 18 (Fig. 6) interventing between the mouths or open ings 18 serve to close the otherwise open lower end of the nozzle 1 and hold back the cream therein while the turret is being rotated between can filling and can applying operations. With the parts in normal position, Fig. 3, a paper can is applied to a can support and its corresponding mbuth 18, as

before described, and the turret is rotated by a hand, a step forward, to bring said mouth and the can into registration with the sleeve 17 and the open end of the nozzle. The step by step rotation of the turret to always bring the turret to 'rest with a mouth 18 in proper registration with the open end of the nozzle, can be controlled by any suitable means, although I show depressions 18 in the top face of the rotary plate and a cooperating complementary spring pressed detent 17 carried by plate 17 for'thls purpose.

When the rotary turret holds an empty can a in alinement with the nozzle, Fig. 3, the head (in this instance consisting of the turret and plate 17) is elevated, usually by a quick movement, to carry the can upwardly on the exterior of the nozzle approximately throughout the length of the nozzle or until the can bottom more or less closely approaches the open end of the nozzle. This upward movement of the can on the nozzle serves to drive air from. the can either into the nozzle passages, or if so desired, through any suitable air escape by means of which air is exhausted at the exterior of the nozzle, or without driving into or through the several masses of ice cream. For instance, I show air escape duct e having lateral outlet to atmosphere at e controlled by any suitable outwardly opening check valve 6" that will close against air inlet. This air escape duct is shown (Fig. 3) with an open inlet end at the open lower end of the nozzle, the duct being formed longitudinally of and within the nozzle partition 1, and checkvalve-controlled lateral outlet in the nozzle head or union 2. However, I do not wish to limit my invention to any particular arrangement providing fou air relief, and for suction withdrawing action on the cream in the machine.

When the head carrying the can on the exterior of the nozzle has reached the desired limit of upward movement, to receive the cream from the three nozzle passages on the can bottom, the direction of movement of the head is thereupon reversed and the head is forced down carrying the can down on the nozzle so that the can is filled from the bottom by the cream below the nozzle and as the can descends. If the fit between the sleeve 17 and the nozzle and between the can and nozzle, is sufficiently tight or otherwise if the can is moved down with suflicient speed, a greater or less degree of minus pressure will be created in the can and nozzle, in fact, the head and can may be so manipulated as to exert a very strong suction pull on the cream in the three nozzle passages and the supply receptacles and greatly accelerate the can filling operation even though the cream is of a less degree of fluidity then usual. The desirability of utilizing this suction pull on the cream depends to a considerable extent on Whether the cream is flowing as freely and rapidly as desired. The head can be raised and lowered by manual power, b hand if desired, during the filling operatlon, and hence the speed of the can descent on the nozzle is under constant quickly-responding control so that the can may be stopped, started or its speed of movement varied during the filling opertion as may be desired to insure complete and uniform filling with cream from all three nozzle passages.

When the head reaches its limit of downward movement, the can filling operation is completed, and the operator thereupon rotates the rotary turret a step to shear oif the cream at the lower end of the nozzle, to close the lower end of the nozzle by a portion 18 of the turret plate 18, until the empty can on the next succeeding holder 243-44 is brought into alinement with the nozzle, and to bring the filled can to a position where it .can be removed from the turret by the operator. The operator removes the filled can by pressing the holder 24 -24 down against its sustaining spring until the upper end of the can is clear of the turrent mouth 18 whereupon the can is removed laterally from the turret. The slip cover is then placed on the filled can, and said can is ready for the hardening room.

The upper edge of the paper can, when in filling position (Fig. 3), is held snugly to the bottom edge face of the sleeve 17 and is accurately centered by the taper 18 so as to snugly fit the exterior of the nozzle when the can is forced upwardly on the ever,

- nozzle, and thereby reduces to the minimum duces to the minimum air leakage at the top edge of. the can during the downward filling stroke on the nozzle, for if so be so arranged to percan desired, the parts can mit air escape to atmosphere at the top edgeof the can during the upward stroke of the can on the nozzle instead of utilizing the air vent e for this purpose, while preventing inflow of air as before described.

Instead of raising and lowering the head (plate 17 and the turret) by hand, means can be provided for effecting and controlling these operations by foot ower.

For instance, I show the sli e 15 extended downwardly into the hollow base 7, and coupled to'Qretracing spring v 25 at its lower end coupled to the base. his spring constantly exerts its power to maintain the head at normal lowered position and to return the same thereto. The head is forced on its upward stroke andis controlled on its downward stroke, by a suitably fulcrumed vertically swinga-ble treadl 26, accessible at the exterior of the base and so connected with the slide '15 (as through chain 27 supported by pulley 28) as to elevate the head when the treadle is depressed. The operator can hence easily stop, retard and control the downward movement of the head and the filling stroke of the paper can, under the retracting power of the spring 25, by pressure of the' foot on the treadle. How- I do not wish to limit the broad features of my invention to any particular mechanism for operating the paper can carrying and controlling head, nor in fact to mechanism for manipulating and operating the can.

While I gain material advantages of great utility by providing means for filling cylindrical paper cans, yet i do not wish to limit all features of my invention to use with containers of cylindrical shape, nor to containers made of paper or like material, nor do I wish to limit all features of my invention to several supply receptacles and passages for filling containers with variously flavored or colored edible frozen or other semi-fluid products.

' It is obvious that various changes, modifications and variations might be resorted,

to, that features might be omitted or, parts added, without departing from the spirit and scope of m invention, and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the precise disclosure hereof in whole or in part.

What I claim is 1. A machine for filling vertically elongated paper containers with fiowable ice cream preparatory to hardening the cream 1n such containers, said machine comprising a vertically elongated nozzle internally divided into unobstructed longitudinal cream passages open for free downward flow of cream from the lower end of the nozzle, and means for supplying gravity flowing ice cream to said passages, respectively, said nozzle constructed and arranged to exteriorly and longitudinally-receive a container so that the container will be filled from the bottom'up, and below the nozzle, as the container is moved downwardly on the exterior of the nozzle, to produce a body of cream in the container composed of the several longitudinal columns from said passages.

2. A machine for filling containers with flowable ice cream, comprising a depending filling nozzle internally divided into longitudinal cream passages open for free downward flow of cream by gravity, and reservoirs for supplying gravity flowing ice cream to said passages, respectively, said nozzle constructed and arranged to exteriorly and longitudinally receive a container so that the container will be filled from the bottom up by cream dropping from the nozzle as the container is moved downwardly on the exterior of the nozzle.

3. A machine for filling containers with ice cream in the condition in which it flows freely from the freezer, comprising a depending nozzle in exterior formation and length approximately conforming to the interior formation and length of the containers to be filled by ice cream flowing therefrom, said/nozzle having a bottom discharge end formed to cooperate with the open top end of a container moved horizontally across formed to lon itudinally and externally receive the container and to fill the same from the bottom up as the container is moved down on the nozzle, and a suitable ice cream supply in open communication with the nozzle to permit the cream to flow freely into and through the nozzle without pushing forcing pressure.

4. A machine, for filling containers with ice cream in the condition in which it flows freely from the freezer, comprising a depending nozzle, said nozzle having a bottom discharge end formed to cooperate with the open top end of a container moved horizontally across said nozzle end to shear off the cream flowing down from said nozzle end, said nozzle formed to longitudinally and externally receive the container and to fill the same from the bottom up as the con tainer is moved down on the nozzle.

5. A machine for filling containers with flowable ice cream, comprising a depending can filling nozzle having its lower end open to permit the cream to drop therefrom onto the bottom of a can held longitudinally on the women exterior of the nozzle, whereby the can will be filled from the bottom up as the can is moved downwardly on the nozzle, saidnozzle being formed and arranged 'to permit application of empty cans thereto and lateral movement of the open ends of filled cans across said lower end of the nozzle, means to fiow ice cream into said nozzle for downward gravity flow therein and discharge therefrom, and movable means for temporary application to said end of the nozzle to uphold the cream therein during the intervals between filled can removal from the nozzle and empty can application thereto.

6. A machine for filling containers with fiowable ice cream, comprising a can filling nozzle having its lower end open to permit the cream to drop therefrom onto the bottom of a can held longitudinally on the exterior of the nozzle, whereby the can will be filled from the bottom up as the can is moved downwardly on the nozzle, means to flow ice cream into said nozzle for downward fiow therein and discharge therefrom, and movable means for temporary application to said end of the nozzle to uphold-the cream therein during the intervals between filled can removal from the nozzle and empty can application thereto. 7 A machine for filling cylindrical paper cans with several simultaneously discharged columns of flowable ice cream to produce in the can an elongated body of ice cream made up of merging longitudinal lengths of differently colored cream, said machine embodying a cylindrical elongated discharge nozzle having a free end bottom discharge opening, said nozzle exteriorly formed to longitudinally and slidably receive a cylin drical can and to permit application and removal of the can over and from said free end,

7 said nozzle arranged to simultaneously disopening.

charge said columns of cream onto the bot-' 'tom'ot' a can held on the nozzle and to fill said can as the same is moved down on the nozzle, said nozzle internally formed for the free simultaneous downward flow of said columns of cream, and means for supplying flowing cream to said nozzle, without pushing forcing pressure, 'to form said columns for free flow down. from 'said discharge 8. A machine for filling vertically elonated containers with simultaneously fiowmg vertical columns of differently colored ice cream, comprising a depending nozzle bottom discharge, and separate supplies above said nozzle, for fiowable ice cream, means providing separate downward passages from said supplies, respectively, and through said nozzle to said bottom discharge for the free downward gravity flow of cream, said nozzle exteriorly receive a container the bottom thereof formed to longitudinally and to deposit cream on depending vmoval from the nozzle,

' edge to below the as the same slides down n the nozzle.

9. A machine for filling containers with simultaneously flowing vertical columns of semi-frozen ice cream, comprising a depending nozzle having a bottom discharge, and means for flowing said columns of icecream into said nozzle for downward flow therethrough to and from said discharge, said nozzle exteriorly receive a container andto deposit said cream on the bottom thereof below the nozzle and to fill the container from the bottom up w under relative longitudinal separating moveand nozzle. container filling machine having a container filling nozzle with a free end discharge, said nozzle formed to longitudinally and slidably receive a container with the bottom of the container opposite said discharge and to fill the container as the same slides from the nozzle,

ment of the contamer 10. An ice cream formed to longitudinally the lower nozzle and to fill the container at end of the nozzle formed to cooperate in shearing off the cream on lateral movement of the filled container across the nozzle.

11. An ice creamxcontainer filling machine having a container filling nozzle with a free end discharge, said nozzle formed to longitudinally and slidably receive a con tainer with the bottom of the container opposite said discharge and to fill the container as the same slides from the nozzle, and means for maintaining a supply of flowable ice cream flowing through said nozzle.

12. An icecream container fiilling machine having a container filling nozzle with a free end discharge, said nozzle formed to longitudinally and slidably receive a container with the bottom of the container op posite said discharge and to fill the container as the same slides from the nozzle, means for maintaining a supply of flowable ice cream flowing through said nozzle, and means to temporarily cover said discharge to prevent cream leakage during he intervals between empty container application to the nozzle and filled container removal from the nozzle. 13. An ice cream co filling nozzle with a free end discharge, said nozzle formed I to longitudinally and slidably receive a container with the bottom of,the retainer oppo site said discharge and fill the container as the same slides from the nozzle, means for maintaining a supply otfiowable ice cream flowing ,v'through said nozzle, and means to temporarily cover said discharge to prevent, cream .leakage, during the intervals between empty container 'applica tion'to' the nozzle and filled container reof said nozzle presenting a transverse end permit transverse movement of the open end of the filled can across the nozzle the discharge end ward flow of .the nozzle passages.

end to shear off the body of cream at said discharge.

14. Apparatus for filling ice cream containers, comprising a vertical filling nozzle formed to longitudinally and slidably receive the contalner to be filled, several vertical receptacles above said nozzle for separate bodies of flowable ice cream, said receptacles having funnel-like bottoms, and means providing passages leading down from said bottoms directly into said nozzle and formed for continuous gravity flow of ice cream from said funnel-like bottoms into said nozzle, said receptacles being internally formed to cause the cream to settle freely therein and flow freely therefrom into and through said passages by gravity without pushing forcing pressure.

15. Apparatus for filling ice cream containers, comprising an elevated support, a flowable ice cream-discharging and container filling nozzle depending therefrom and formed to longitudinally and slidable receive the container to be filled, and several independent removable ice cream receptacles supported on and separately removable from said support for filling, each receptacle having a bottom discharge and means for temporarily closing the same while the receptacle is being filled and transported, said nozzle having separate longitudinal cream passages, cream passages being provided leading down from said receptacle discharges, respectively, to the upper ends of said nozzle passages, respectively, for the free downcream from the receptacles to 16. Apparatus for filling ice cream containers, comprising several upright flowable ice cream supply receptacles at their lower I ends leading down to open depending passages leading into a depending container filling nozzle having open longitudinal passages in downward continuation of said depending passages, respectively, said nozzle constructed and arranged to longitudinally and slidably receive a container and to flow ice cream thereinto from said passages as said container slides downwardly on the nozzle, said reservoirs internally constructed to cause the cream to freely settle therein to and through said passages by gravity without pushing forcing pressure.

17. Apparatus for filling ice cream containers with flowable ice cream, comprising a container filling nozzle, and means for supplying ice cream to the nozzle, said nozzle formed for free downward flow of ice cream therein, said nozzle constructed and arranged to longitudinally receive a container. and means whereby outward longitudinal movement of the container on the nozzle will exert suction pull on the cream within the nozzle.

18. Apparatus for filling containers with flowable ice cream,

comprising a filling noztherethrough, means for freely flowing ice cream into the nozzle, and means to 006perate with the container to be filled in exerting suction on the cream in the nozzle to accelerate cream flow from the nozzle.

19. Apparatus for filling containers with flowable ice cream, comprising a container filling nozzle constructed for free flow of such cream therethrough, means for freely flowing such cream into said nozzle, and means whereby inward movement of a container on the nozzle will exhaust air from the container and outward movement of the container on the nozzle will exert suction pull on the cream in the nozzle to accelerate the flow of cream into the container.

20. Apparatus for filling containers with flowable ice cream, comprising a container filling nozzle constructed for free flow of such cream therethrough, means for freely flowing such cream into said nozzle, in combination with a container applicable to and movable longitudinally of said nozzle to exert suction pull within the nozzle to accelerate cream dischage therefrom.

21. Apparatus for filling ice cream containers with flowableice cream, comprising a container filling nozzle, means in open communication therewith for flowing ice cream thereinto by gravity, and means for cooperating with a container in exerting suction pull on the cream'in the nozzle to accelerate the cream discharge from the nozzle and the cream flow into the nozzle.

22. Apparatus for filling ice cream containers with flowable ice cream, comprising a container filling nozzle, and means in open communication therewith for freely flowing ice cream thereinto, said filling nozzle adapted to receive a container longitudinally movable on the nozzle with a running fit, to create suction pull on the cream in the nozzle by relative longitudinal movement of the container and the nozzle.

23. Apparatus for filling ice cream containers with flowable ice cream, comprising .a container filling nozzle, means in open communication therewith for flowing ice cream thereinto by gravity, and means to provide an approximate air tight fit between the container and nozzle so that outward movement of the container on the nozzle will tend to suck the cream from the nozzle into the container.

24. Apparatus for filling ice cream .containers with flowable ice cream, comprising a container filling nozzle, means in open communication therewith for freely flowing ice cream thereinto, and a container holder embodying a sleeve slidable on the nozzle with the container.

25. Apparatus for filling ice cream containers with flowable ice cream, comprising emma a container filling nozzle, meanstorflowing ice cream thereinto, and a head surrounding and longitudinally slidable on the nozzle, the nozzle formed to longitudinally receive a container, said head including means to removably hold the container to the head to slide therewith on the nozzle.

26. Apparatus for filling ice cream containers with fiowable ice cream, comprising a container filling nozzle, means in open communication therewith for freely flowing ice cream thereinto, said nozzle formed to exteriorly and longitudinally receive a container, means providing for air exhaust from the container while being forced inward on the nozzle, and means whereby outward movement of the container on the nozzle will create suction pull to accelerate flow of cream into, through and from the nozzle.

27. Apparatus for filling containers with fiowable ice cream, comprising a cream discharge nozzle provided with ice cream supplying means, said nozzle formed to longitudina'lly and slidably receive a container, in combination with a head supported independently of said nozzle and reciprocatory longitudinally thereof, said head comprising a rotary turret constructed and arranged to removably hold several parallel containers and bring them successively into alinement with said nozzle and to reciprocate the alined container on the nozzle, said turret also embodying means to temporarily support the cream in the nozzle during the intervals between container application to and container removal from said nozzle.

28. Apparatus for filling containers with flowable ice cream, comprising a cream discharge nozzle provided with ice cream supplying means, said nozzle formed to longitudinally and slidably receive a container, in combination with means to hold a container and reciprocate the same on the nozzle and move the same transversely of the nozzle and to and from the discharge end thereof, said means being constructed and arranged to temporarily cover said nozzle discharge end during the intervals between empty container application thereto and filled container removal therefrom.

29. Apparatus for filling containers with fiowable ice cream comprising a cream discharge nozzle provided with ice cream supply means, said nozzle formed to longitudinally and slidably receive a container, in combination with means to hold a container and reciprocate the same on the nozzle and move the same transversely of the nozzle andto and from the discharge end thereof, said means being constructed and arranged to temporarily cover said nozzle discharge end during the intervals between empty container application thereto and filled container removal therefrom, said means embodying a sleeve reciprocatory on the nozzle,

and a mouth formed to receive and center the open end of the container with respect to the nozzle and said sleeve.

30. Apparatus for filling containers with flowabl ice cream, comprising a cream discharge nozzle provided with ice cream supplying means, said nozzle formed to longitudinally and slidably receive a container, in combination wit-h means to hold a container and reciprocate the same on the nozzle and move the same transversely of the nozzle and to and from the discharge end thereof, said means being constructed and arranged to temporarily cover said nozzle discharge end during the intervals between empty container application thereto and filled container removal therefrom, and manually operated mechanism for reciprocating said means under constant control to stop, start and vary the speed of movement of the container on the nozzle.

31. Apparatus for filling containers with flowable ice cream, comprising a containerreceiving and filling nozzle, and means for flowing ice cream into said nozzle, in combination with a rotary turret for successively bringing containers into alinement with said nozzle, said turret being reciprocatory for carrying containers one at a time onto and from said nozzle, said turret including a member having mouths to receive the open ends of the containers, and supports to re ceive the container bottoms and force the open ends of the containers to said mouths, said member providing means between said mouths to cover the nozzle discharge when out of alinement with a mouth.

32. Apparatus for filling containers with flowable ice cream, comprising a containerreceiving and filling nozzle, and means for flowing ice cream into said nozzle, in combination with a rotary turret for successively bringing containers into alinement with said nozzle, said turret being reciprocatory for carrying containers one at a time onto and from said nozzle, said turret including a member having mouths to receive the open ends of the containers and supports to receive the container bottoms and force the open ends of the containers to said months, said member providing means between said mouths to cover the nozzle discharge when out of alinement with a mouth, and a nonrotary head reciprocatory with said turret and movable longitudinally on the nozzle.

33. Apparatus for filling containers with fiowable'ic cream, embodyinga container filling nozzle on which the container is lon- 'gitudinally reciprocatory, said apparatus with said opening.

35. Apparatus for filling containers with ,mouth alined with said 0 e flowable ice cream, comprising a container filling nozzle formed to longitudinally and slidably receive the container to be filled, and supporting means for the container embodying a member reciprocatory longitudinally of the nozzle and having an opening receiving the same, and a device to hold the container to said member with the container nin HAR LD HOWE. 

